Woodlin Elementary School
Family Handbook
2015-2016
2101 Luzerne Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
(301)-650-6440
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/woodlines/
Woodlin is committed to making sure that your child receives the best education through the use
of best instructional practices. As we work diligently every day to educate all of our children, it
is our hope that our families continue to support the work that we do on a daily basis. One way
to help us is to make sure that you are familiar with our school policies and procedures. This
handbook is created to help inform families of our expectations while your child attends Woodlin
Elementary School. Please make time to review this handbook with your child and call us with
questions. Again, thank you for your continued support.
–Shoua Faith Moua, Principal
Woodlin Elementary School
Main Office: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Grades K-5 School Day: 9:00 a.m. – 3:25 p.m.
Please note: There is no supervision prior to 8:45 a.m. Therefore, no students should arrive before then.
Vision
Woodlin Elementary School is committed to providing a nurturing environment that encourages
students to explore, learn, and succeed.
Mission
The Woodlin community collaborates to teach academic, social emotional and problem-solving
skills so students will thrive in the 21st Century. We exemplify HOPE to our students through:
Hard work
Opportunity
Preparation
Equity
School Colors: Blue and White
School Mascot: Wizard
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************************* ABC’s for School Success ***************************
ARRIVALS
Unlike in years past, students will no longer line-up outside for arrival. Instead, parents will say their ‘goodbyes’ outside and students will directly enter the building at 8:45 a.m. through the designated doors and
line-up in the hallways by their class areas. Students may not be dropped off before 8:45 a.m. as there is no
supervision before that time. Students will be invited into the classroom by their teachers at 8:55 a.m.
Instruction will begin at 9:00 a.m.
 Students who eat breakfast will enter the building through the APR (Atrium side).
 Car Riders will enter through the APR doors (near the parking lot).
 Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 5th grade students will enter the building through the first grade outside
doors. Fifth grade students will line up in the hallway leading to the portables.
 3rd and 4th grade students will enter the building through the atrium doors.
Parent Pick-up and Drop-off: Car Riders
The street in front of the school is reserved for school bus drop-off and pick-up.
 Traffic signs posted on Luzerne Ave. in front of the school remind parents/guardians that they are
prohibited from stopping on Luzerne for drop-off or pick-up.
 Please use the school parking lot if your child arrives and/or leaves by car.
 Unload children from the right side of the vehicle.
 Always obey the directions given by the school crossing guard and Woodlin staff on
arrival/dismissal duty.
 It is the law to stop and wait when buses have activated their signal lights and stop signs while
children are disembarking and boarding buses. The automated school bus camera enforcement
continues. Cameras have been mounted on several MCPS buses; citations will be issued and
mailed to the registered owner.
For the safety of all students and to allow school buses access to Woodlin, it is highly recommended that
parents use the following routes and provided map in the morning and at the end of the day to drive through
the Woodlin neighborhood:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Coming from Seminary Rd. onto Second Ave., turn right on Luzerne Ave., turn left on Glenridge Rd.
Turn right on Glen Ross Rd. and continue straight onto Warren St.
At the end of Warren St., turn right on Luzerne Ave. Turn left into school parking lot.
Exit the parking lot by turning right on Luzerne Ave., continue straight on Luzerne Ave., turn left on
Louis Ave., turn right on 3rd Ave., left on Hanover to Second Ave.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Coming from 16th St onto Second Ave., turn left on Glen Ross Rd.
Stay on Glen Ross Rd. (Glenn Ross Rd. will become Warren St.)
At the end of Warren St., turn right on Luzerne Ave. Turn left into school parking lot.
Exit the parking lot by turning right on Luzerne Ave., continue straight on Luzerne Ave., turn left on
Louis Ave., turn right on 3rd Ave., left on Hanover to Second Ave.
 Please do not drive on Luzerne Ave. to the parking lot. This street is used by the school buses. For the
safety of all children, parents who wish to park must do so in empty parking spaces and meet students
in the student pick up area. Students will not be allowed to cross the parking lot unattended.
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ASSESSMENTS
All Woodlin students will be assessed to monitor progress and to help inform instructional strategies to
help further support learning. Below is a list of assessments you can expect your child to take:
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)
Measures of Academic Progress is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and
administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic
growth. Students take this test three times a year (fall, winter, and spring). Students in Grades K-2 will take
the MAP-P (primary math) and students in Grades 3-5 will take the MAP-M (math) and MAP-R (reading)
assessments.
mClass (K-2)
mClass is a reading assessment tool for students in Grades K–2 that measures reading comprehension skills.
Through this assessment, a student’s reading and instructional level are determined. These levels may differ
because it is common for a student to read at a higher level than s/he is able to comprehend. Students will
be assessed three times a year (fall, winter, and spring).
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Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)
PARCC is the new Maryland State Department of Education’s state assessment. PARCC is aligned to the
Common Core State Standards (CCSS), also known as the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards.
All students in Grades 3-5 will take the PARCC assessments in Reading/ELA and Math. PARCC will also
measure the essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills that students need to be successful in
college and careers. The computer-based tests will provide timely information about what individual
students are learning.
Gifted and Talented/Highly Gifted Center
All Grade 2 students are screened for gifted and talented identification during the month of December.
Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 who are new to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) or who have
been recommended for re-screening (by parents and/or school staff) are also screened during the month of
December. Gifted and talented screening occurs at the student's school. The data gathered on each student
through the screening process is used to make instructional recommendations for the following school year
and for GT identification.
All students have an equal opportunity to be considered for identification regardless of special needs,
linguistic or cultural differences. Advocacy is a vital component of the professional decision making
process. For more information, please visit:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/enriched/about/Understanding%20S
creening%202012-2013.pdf
Compacted Math Identification
The Compacted Math course is a two-year course in which the curricula are taught at an accelerated pace
to students during their 4th and 5th grade years. Identification for the Compacted Math course is a two-step
process which was developed by the Office of Acceleration and Enrichment Instruction (AEI) to determine
which Grade 3 students would best be served by the compacted course system-wide. In the first step, schools
review a wide range of existing Grade 3 student performance data to help identify students that might be
candidates for the course. In the second step, teachers assess the identified students using a series of tasks
and evaluate them on their understanding, computation, application, reasoning, and engagement (UCARE)
in mathematics. To be considered for the Compacted Math course, a student would need to demonstrate all
of the following ‘Best-Fit’ criteria:
1. Independently and consistently demonstrates proficiency as defined by the five strands of UCARE,
earlier than the end of instruction for concepts and/or topics.
2. Meets or exceeds the benchmark for enriched and accelerated mathematics within the UCARE
Assessment Portfolio.
3. Has needs that would best be met through a much quicker pace of instruction, while maintaining
the depth of understanding.
4. Is among the highest performing students in the grade level and/or does not have a group of
similarly situated peers in his or her grade-level class.
In the spring, schools will notify parents/guardians of current third grade students who are recommended
for the compacted curriculum. New students to MCPS and current students in Grades 4 and 5 who
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demonstrate ‘Best-Fit’ criteria may request to be screened for Compacted Math course. For more
information, please visit: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/math/compacted/
World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA)
The State of Maryland is a member of the WIDA Consortium. As a member of WIDA, the Maryland State
Department of Education and all public school systems in Maryland use the WIDA English language
development standards and assessments to guide the development of ESOL curriculum, assess English
language proficiency levels and informs parents/guardians of the ESOL instructional placement decisions.
Students who speak a home language other than English will be be assessed for their English language
proficiency level. For more information, please visit
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/esol/instruction/.
ATTENDANCE
If your child will be absent from school for any reason, parents/guardians are asked to call the school before
8:40 a.m., email the school’s attendance clerk, [email protected] and email the classroom
teacher. Your message should include your child’s name, teacher, and the reason for the absence. Your
child must also bring a note from home upon his/her return.
Children should remain at home when illness is suspected, a communicable disease has been diagnosed or
lice nits have been found. After five consecutive days of absence, a doctor’s note is required.
Absence Policy
 Students are AM absent if they arrive more than 2 hours late.
 Students are PM absent if they leave more than 2 hours early.
 If a student is absent for more than any 2 hours during the school day, it’s considered a ½ day
absence.
 If a student is present for less than 2 hours of the entire school day, it’s considered a full day
absence.
 Family Vacations - Vacations are not considered excused absences. Vacations should be planned
during school holidays. When family vacations require students to miss school, they are encouraged
to maintain a daily travel journal and to read for at least 20 minutes each day. When a student
returns to school, s/he will be asked to complete some of the work that was missed. Individual
teachers will determine how missed work will be completed.
 Arriving Late - Students arriving after 9:00 a.m. are considered tardy, parent/guardian must report
to the front office and sign students in.
We kindly ask for your support in maximizing instruction time. Students will not be released from class for
telephone calls or to wait to be picked up from school.
BREAKFAST
A healthy breakfast starts the school day right! Beginning at 8:40 a.m., students may purchase breakfast in
the cafeteria for $1.30. Students on Free and Reduced Lunch may receive breakfast for free.
BULLYING
We proactively address issues by teaching students how to interact positively with others through
classroom-guided lessons, and group or individual counseling sessions with our counselor, Ms. Dobres.
We also teach children to ask for help when a student is 1) sick 2) hurt or 3) in danger. The entire
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community works together to stop any unkind behaviors. PLEASE let an adult at school know if your child
is feeling uncomfortable or upset. If we don’t know, we can’t help!
BUS SAFETY/BUS STOP DROP-OFF POLICY
Although safety patrols assist, parents are responsible for student safety at bus stops. Please review
appropriate behavior and safety rules with your child. Students who wish to ride a bus home with a
classmate after school must bring a note to the office or give it to their teacher first thing in the morning.
Bus drivers are not allowed to transport additional riders without parent and school permission.
To ensure your child's safe return from school, please meet your child at the bus stop. We strongly
emphasize the importance of having a parent or other responsible adult at the bus stop to meet your child.
If you cannot meet your child, please make other arrangements so that your child may get home safely. If
you or your care giver are running late, or you cannot get to the bus stop, please call the school early enough
(preferably by 12:00 p.m.) so that your child can be safely held at school for pick-up.
Please understand that safe student transportation is a joint responsibility and that drivers do their best to
ensure passenger safety. However, drivers can only deal with problems that are brought to their attention
and drivers are not responsible for waiting to see that students are met by a parent or guardian/caregiver. If
your child notices a problem at drop-off, s/he should immediately tell the driver before leaving the
bus. Otherwise bus drivers will let all the children off at the bus stop, including kindergarten and
first grade students, even if there is no adult there to meet the child. When a student notifies the bus
driver that his/her parent/guardian is not at the bus stop, drivers are trained to return the child to Woodlin.
School staff will then contact the child’s parent/guardian. Please talk with your child’s bus driver if you
have concerns about drop off procedures.
Parents/guardians who share the same bus stop should consider making arrangements to exchange phone
numbers just in case someone runs late at the end of the day. Many parents/guardians arrange to “cover”
for each other in this way. If you do this, let your child know that s/he can wait with certain
parents/guardians if you are delayed.
Make sure your child knows where s/he should go once they get off the bus. Explain to your child that
they should never change their regular after-school routine without first talking to you.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones are not permitted in elementary schools because students are constantly under adult supervision
and therefore they do not need them. The system is aware of the fact that some parents would like their
children to have a cell phone because they walk to and from school alone. Therefore, parents can request
permission (in writing) for a student to carry a cell phone with them and agree that the phone will be dropped
off at the main office during school hours and picked up at the end of the day. Submit your letter of request
to the school principal.
COMMUNICATIONS
Calls for teachers should be made between 8:30-8:50 am and 3:40-4:00 pm. During the instructional day,
teachers are not available to speak by telephone. Teacher email addresses may be found on the Woodlin
website. Staff will do their best to return all phone or email messages within 24 hours.
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CONFERENCES
Parent conferences are scheduled for two half days in November. However, you may request a conference
with your child’s teacher at any time. Due to the instructional focus of the day, we ask that parents call or
email ahead to schedule a meeting time with your child’s teacher to address your questions or concerns.
Teachers cannot interrupt their teaching and preparation. If there is an emergency, please contact the main
office so that we can address your needs.
CURRICULUM
Woodlin uses MCPS Curriculum 2.0. Curriculum 2.0 is built around developing students’ critical and
creative thinking skills, as well as essential academic success skills so that students are well prepared for a
lifetime of learning. For more information, please visit:
http://www/montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/2.0/
DELAYED OPENINGS & EARLY DISMISSAL LUNCH SCHEDULES
Delayed Opening
There will be days in the school year when we will have delayed openings. Delayed openings due to
inclement weather or any other reason are announced by MCPS no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before
if possible). All operations, including bus transportation, are delayed by two hours from the regular
schedule. The school bell will ring at 10:55 a.m. Breakfast will be available at 10:45 a.m. and students will
have lunch at school. Buses will proceed with the normal dismissal routine at the end of the school day.
Grade
K
1
2
3
4
5
Delayed Opening Lunch Schedule
No recess! School begins @ 11:00 a.m.
Lunch Time
Special
11:30 – 12:05
11:45-12:20
12:50 – 1:25
12:25-1:00
1:05 – 1:40
12:10– 12:45
12:20 – 12:50
2:50 – 3:20
11:40 – 12:10
11:00 – 11:30
2:10 – 2:40
1:30 – 2:00
Early Dismissal
There will be a few days during the year when students will only have a half- day of school. On early
dismissal days, school hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. Students will have lunch at school. School
buses will run immediately after the 12:55 p.m. dismissal.
Grade
K
1
2
3
4
5
Early Dismissal Lunch Schedule
No recess! Dismissal @ 12:55 p.m.
Lunch Time
Special
10:55 – 11:30
10:20 – 10:50
11:00-11:35
12:20 – 12:50
11:35 – 12:10
9:40 – 10:10
11:30 – 12:05
9:00 – 9:30
12:15 – 12:50
11:40 – 12:10
12:10 – 12:45
11:00 – 11:30
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WEATHER-RELATED AND EMERGENCY DISMISSALS
If schools close early due to weather conditions, decisions are typically announced by MCPS by 11:00 a.m.
Woodlin uses an automated telephone system (called ConnectEd) to notify parents/guardians about
early/emergency dismissals. To ensure that you receive this information in a timely manner, it is important
that your contact information is accurate and up-to-date.
In addition to ConnectEd, information on emergency closings is also available through:
● The MCPS website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
● By email notice through QuickNotes at http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/quicknotes/
● Local television and radio stations
MCPS may decide to close schools. The announcement is made by MCPS no later than 5:00 a.m.
(or the night before if possible).
DELIVERY OF ITEMS
When you need to deliver items to your student such as books, glasses, lunches, homework, or musical
instruments, please come directly to the school office. Be sure the items are labeled with your child’s name.
We will deliver the item to your child so that classroom instruction is not interrupted.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Woodlin is an official Positive Behavior and Intervention System (PBIS) school. As a PBIS school, we
will be focusing on recognizing positive student behavior. Woodlin utilizes the STAR system to encourage
positive behavior. Students will be recognized for demonstrating STAR characteristics. In addition,
Woodlin follows MCPS’s Student Rights and Responsibilities and Code of Conduct rules and regulations
when addressing student behaviors. Behavior and discipline are shared responsibilities of the home and the
school. A cooperative and supportive partnership benefits students best and leads to the best type of
discipline: self-discipline.
The staff use specific strategies to help students be successful in meeting these behavior expectations. By
clearly stating these expectations, students will have consistent, fair, and respectful experiences at school.
Within a safe, positive, supportive, and caring school, all students will have the opportunity to do their best
and engage in learning. Students will learn about more about their expectations through classroom lessons,
modeling, and practice in all settings of the school environment.
DISMISSAL & GOING HOME
Make sure your child knows how s/he will get home, who will pick them up or meet their bus. This is
especially important for Kindergartners. Please let your Kindergartener know that s/he should not be
alarmed if they do not immediately see an older brother or sister. Make sure your child knows that s/he
should never go home with a stranger.
Please do not go into the school or your child’s classroom for regular pick-up at 3:25 p.m. If you must pickup your child early, please come to the main office before 3:15 p.m. to sign out. Your child will be called
from class.
If your child’s plans require a change from their normal dismissal (play date, child care changes), all
changes must be made in writing to the school. Any adults who come to school to pick up a child will be
asked to show documentation to verify identification and ensure student safety.
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Explain to your child that s/he should never change his/her regular after-school routine without first
talking to you. Sometimes children think it is fun to “make their own plans” like going to play at a friend’s
house. It is always a good idea to get to know your child’s classroom and “bus” friends.
It is extremely important that your child is picked-up on time at 3:25 p.m. There is no staff supervision
after school. However, the school is aware that there may be a rare occasion where you are delayed by
events beyond your control. If you or your caregiver is running late, please call the school by 2:30 p.m. A
message will be sent to your child and s/he will be waiting for you on the bench outside the front office.
Kindergarten students will be dismissed from kindergarten classrooms according to bus color.
 Walkers will exit the building through the main doors of the school. Walkers must be met by a parent.
 Car riders will be escorted by a patrol to the car pick-up area on the side of the school (by the
gym). There will be a teacher on duty monitoring the pick-up process.
 Bus riders will be escorted by a patrol to their buses. They will exit the building through the doors by
the first grade hallway.
Second and Third Grades (2nd and 3rd) students will be dismissed from the All Purpose Room (APR).
 Walkers will exit the building through the doors by the All Purpose Room.
 Car riders will exit the building through the side doors by the gym.
 Bus riders will exit through the doors by the All Purpose Room.
First, Fourth, and Fifth Grades (1st, 4th, and 5th) students will be dismissed from the Gym according
to bus color.
 Walkers will exit the building through the doors by the Amphitheatre.
 Car riders will exit the building through the side doors by the gym.
 Bus riders will exit the building through the doors by the Amphitheatre.
Kids After Hours (KAH) Care:
 Kindergarten students will be picked up by their KAH counselor in the hallway by room 4 and room
11. The counselor will escort students to room 30.
 Students in grades 1-5 will meet their counselor in the All Purpose Room.
Woodlin Child Development Center:
Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will be picked up by staff at the rear entrance of the school by the
second/kindergarten hallway. Students in grades 3-5 will be picked up in the rear entrance of the gym.
FOOD AND ALLERGIES
Currently, one or more students in our school has a severe food allergy to peanuts and/or tree nuts that could
result in a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. In order to minimize the risks to these students and
to strengthen healthy habits, we encourage students to wash their hands before and after eating, and we are
reminding them not to share food with their classmates. We ask for your support in reinforcing these habits
at home.
In addition, we urge you to send snacks that are healthy and do not contain any peanuts or tree nuts such
as walnuts, cashews, pecans, pine nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. Some online
resources and nut-safe food lists include: www.foodallergy.org/home, www.peanutfreelife.com/safe-foodlist/ and snacksafely.com/snacklist.pdf.
If you would like to provide food for a classroom celebration, please provide only food items that are storebought, labeled, and contained in a sealed package. Food products with labels indicating that the product
contains any peanut or tree nut ingredients or stating that the food product was manufactured in a facility
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that also processes peanuts or tree nuts are not permitted for classroom parties. Please consult with the
classroom teacher in advance (at least 24 hours) of the celebration.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Dismissal will remain the same for car and bus riders. On rainy days all walkers will exit through the main
entrance of the building to meet their parents outside.
Recess
When it is raining, or when the weather is below 32 F, the students will not go outside for recess. Indoor
recess options will be held in grade-level classrooms or areas.
EMERGENCIES
We try very hard not to interrupt classes for any reason. We do not call students to the office for phone
calls and we can only deliver messages in an emergency. If there is an emergency, please call the office
to inform us of the situation and to let us know what you need for us to do. Ms. Dobres, our school
counselor, is also available to assist.
EMERGENCY DRILLS
MCPS policy requires that Woodlin conduct a certain number of emergency drills throughout the year. You
can reassure your child/children by letting them know we will have these drills regularly to make sure we
are all safe and prepared if anything unexpected were to happen. If your child is upset by these drills, please
let Ms. Dobres, our counselor, and the classroom teacher know so that they can offer extra support if needed.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FORM
Please be sure that our office has the most current emergency contact form on file. Please contact the office
at (301) 650-6440 to update your information as needed.
HEALTH
Woodlin has a full-time certified health technician who is trained in First Aid and CPR. Our school nurse
is also here one day a week. If your child is hurt, the health tech will administer first aid as needed. The
health tech will call you if there is a head injury or a more serious cut or scrape. If your child is feeling ill,
she will take his/her temperature. If there is no fever, the child might be asked to rest for a while and then
return to class. The health technician will call you if necessary. In a serious health emergency, we will call
911 first, and then notify you.
MEDICATION: MCPS and the Health Department enforce a very strict medication policy. For children
who must take medication at school, the parent and physician must complete and sign the required
medication form. Forms are available in the health room. This policy requires that ANY medication,
whether it is prescription OR over-the counter medication, be prescribed by a physician and brought to
school by the parent in the original container and properly labeled (keep the home supply in your own
container). Medication must be kept in the health room unless needed for field trips. If you have any
questions, please call the nurse at (301) 650-6440.
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HOMEWORK
Homework is one of the many learning activities in which students engage. It provides opportunities to
develop initiative, responsibility, self-direction, and organizational skills. In fifth grade, homework also
provides opportunities for students to demonstrate readiness for the increased demands of individual
responsibility in middle school.
Teacher Responsibilities
1. No assignment will be given that has not been clearly explained in the classroom.
2. Teachers will make sure that students fully understand when the assignment is due.
3. Homework is an extension of classroom tasks and projects or will focus on skill/strategy
reinforcement.
4. Specific homework assignments will be designated by the teacher and will be checked for
completion.
5. Where team teaching is utilized, assignments will be coordinated among grade level teachers to
keep within the time allotments.
6. Teachers will communicate to parents about missing or incomplete assignments as needed.
7. Homework will not be assigned the evening preceding designated religious holidays.
Grade
GRADE LEVEL HOMEWORK GUIDELINES
Assignment Details
Kindergarten
Weekly homework menu beginning in January
First Grade
Monthly homework projects and bi-weekly sight word/word work practice
Second Grade
Bi-weekly homework menu
Third Grade
Bi-weekly homework menu as written on the Student Assignment Book (SAB)
Fourth Grade
Nightly homework assignments as written in the Student Assignment Book (SAB)
and bi-weekly word work practice
Fifth Grade
Nightly homework assignments as written in the Student Assignment Book (SAB)
Student Responsibilities
1. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of assignments and to seek further explanation if
needed.
2. The student will organize his/her time to work on assignments (with parental support for K-2
students).
3. The student will turn in assignments on time.
4. The student’s work will reflect high standards regarding quality (neatness and legibility) and
completeness.
5. Students in grades 4 and 5 will be responsible for recording daily assignments in their required
Student Assignment Book (SAB).
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Parent Responsibilities
While the child should assume the major responsibility for completing homework assignments, parents
are encouraged to take an active interest in the child’s homework by doing the following:
1. Provide a study area that is quiet, comfortable, and free from major distractions.
2. Provide a designated time for studying or other home activities.
3. Make available, if possible, such resource materials as reference books, magazines, newspapers, a
dictionary and/or the public library.
4. Assist the child with mastery of specific skills (e.g., math facts).
5. Monitor your child’s daily and/or weekly assignment sheets/books and long-range assignments.
6. When students have an excused absence such as illness, contact the teacher regarding
arrangements to cover missed material.
7. Encourage your child to complete homework on his/ her own as much as possible and assist only
as needed.
8. Use teacher feedback to help improve and direct your child’s homework.
LUNCH
Every day, the cafeteria serves breakfast from 8:40-9:00 a.m. and lunch for the different grades at the
respective times below.
Grade
K
1
2
3
4
5
Recess
11:50-12:20
11:10-11:40
12:05-12:35
1:35-2:10
12:25-1:00
12:45-1:15
Lunch
12:25-1:00
11:45-12:20
12:40-1:15
12:00-12:35
1:05-1:35
1:20-1:55
Applications for free and reduced-priced lunches are sent home with all students during the first week of
school. YOU MUST REAPPLY EVERY YEAR. FAILURE TO REAPPLY CAN RESULT IN
DISRUPTIONS OR NO MEAL SERVICE TO YOUR CHILD.
Menus for the upcoming month will be sent home regularly with students or can be viewed online at
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/foodserv/menus/cafemenus.shtm
Remember that MCPS’ computerized pre-payment system is available for your convenience. Depositing
funds into a cafeteria account eliminates the need for a child to carry money every day. You can load money
onto your child’s account at www.MyLunchMoney.com.
Breakfast
Reduced price breakfast
Lunch
Reduced price lunch
Milk
$1.30
$0.00
$2.55
$0.40
$0.60
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PARTIES
Each year Woodlin has two parties, Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
 Our annual Halloween Parade begins in the afternoon. Please make sure the costumes that you
allow your child to bring to school are appropriate for Kindergarten through fifth grade audiences—
No weapons, blood, guts or other possibly offensive costumes!
 Valentine’s Day parties are normally held in the classrooms in the afternoon.
 Birthday celebrations are held during lunch in the All Purpose room. Students are permitted to
bring in store-bought goodies to be shared with classmates. According to MCPS policy, homebaked goods are not permitted for distribution at school due to potential allergies. Parents must
notify teachers prior to the day of the celebration.
 Parents who do not wish their child to participate in celebrations, including birthday observances,
should notify the classroom teacher in advance.
RECESS
If a child is well enough to attend school, s/he must be well enough to participate in all school activities,
including recess. Unfortunately, we do not have enough staff to supervise students who are unable to go
outside. If your child has a serious health issue, please contact the school nurse to schedule a meeting.
Please be sure that your children come dressed appropriately for the weather. We do have outdoor recess
unless it is too wet, muddy, cold (wind chill/temperature below freezing), or otherwise unsafe.
REPORT CARDS and GRADING SYSTEM:
Standards-based grading and reporting will be used in all elementary schools. The goal of this grading
format is to give parents a clear understanding of your child’s progress toward end-of-year grade-level
expectations. The following chart below explains the meaning of our grades.
Grade
ES
P
I
N
M
NEP
Description
Exceptional at the grade level standard
Comment
Not used in
kindergarten
Meets the grade level standard by demonstrating proficiency of the
content or processes for the measurement topic
In progress toward meeting the grade level standard
Not yet making progress or making minimal progress toward
meeting the grade level standard
Missing data - No grade recorded
Not English Proficient, may be used for level 1 or 2 ESOL student
for no more than two marking periods
IMPORTANT: Please note, these descriptions do not translate into traditional letter grades (e.g. an ES is
not equivalent to an “A”). Any child who is working on grade level indicators and making progress is
likely to receive a report of “P” or “I” on the report card. Report cards are cumulative and will be used over
the four marking periods as students work toward end of year mastery. Measurement topics are a group of
related content, skills or processes in a subject. For example, foundational skills are a measurement topic
in reading and geometry is a measurement topic in math.
Learning skills include personal and social development skills, and thinking and academic success skills.
Personal and Social Development Skills are the effort and behaviors that affect learning. This section will
provide information that describes what your child is doing that helps or hinders his/her learning. Thinking
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and Academic Success Skills (TASS) permeate instruction in all content areas of the MCPS PreK-5
Integrated Curriculum. The chart below explains the meaning of the codes for Personal and Social
Development Skills and Thinking and Academic Success Skills.
Code
DEM
PRG
N
Description
Demonstrating
Progressing
Not yet evident
SUPPLIES
Students may be asked to pay for materials of instruction that primarily fit into three categories as follows:
 Items eaten by the student as a part of the course (example: bread baking ingredients).
 Component parts of a product that will become student property (example: sculpting clay).
 Materials of instruction or items of personal use that become the property of the student (example:
recorder).
Students are still expected to bring individual organizational tools and personal supplies from home. In
addition, there are student fees which are not course-related but local school decisions made by the principal
in collaboration with the school and parent leadership. These may include fees for class snacks, special
grade-level assemblies, etc. There may also be fees related to field trips, but these will be shared each time
there is a trip and not in advance as a school fee.
We are committed to providing all students, regardless of their economic circumstances, with full access to
the instructional program. If you need assistance for any requested expense, or with providing
organizational tools and personal supplies, please contact your child’s teacher, our counselor, or school
administrators.
Parent donations of items that enhance the classroom experience are still welcomed, either as donations
from individual parents or organized by class parents or by the PTA. They are not required donations and
no student will be expected to provide these items, but if you wish to contribute, it will be appreciated.
To get information on the supply list for your child go to our Parent page at
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/woodlines/parents.
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VISITING, VOLUNTEERING, OBSERVING, AND CONFERENCES GUIDELINES
Our highly effective program depends on the partnership of everyone in the community. The many hours
of parent volunteer time that you put in help support the work of educating our children. We recognize
that, from time to time, parents may also have the need to come to school to observe what their children are
studying and how the classroom operates. It is also crucial for teachers and parents to communicate about
a child’s progress and needs. MCPS policy requires that anyone who enters the building for any reason or
any amount of time must sign in and out at the office and let us know why they are in the building. Please
do not go anywhere in the building without first obtaining a badge. If you do not check in at the office and
are not wearing a badge, you will be stopped by staff and sent to the office to check in. While visiting we
ask that you silence cell phones and pagers.
We strive to limit any interruptions to the instructional program. While observing, volunteering, or visiting,
please be respectful of student instruction and teacher time and do not engage in a discussion with your
child or the teacher. In order to ensure student privacy, please do not discuss other students with the
community. The ground rules below outline the differences between volunteering, visiting, observing and
conferencing. It is our hope that these will clarify roles and responsibilities—your job and our job.
VISITING: We do ask that you schedule your visit with your child’s teacher at a time that is convenient
for staff. For the safety and security of all individuals, teachers and staff must know about the presence and
location of all visitors in the building. All visitors must enter the building through the main entrance, stop
at the main office to sign in, and wear a visitor’s badge while in the school. There will be no exceptions.
Any individuals without a visitor’s badge will be asked to report to the office. Please help us keep our
students safe by following this important procedure!
VOLUNTEERING: Every year, volunteers generously donate many hours of their time. Volunteers are
expected to help students and staff in what they need. Volunteer opportunities may include:
 Classroom volunteers
 Lunch/Recess monitors
 Clerical support
Please report any concerns to the teacher, staff or administrators you may have while you serve as a
volunteer. Our volunteers are the best and we appreciate the thoughtful support that you give our school!
OBSERVING IN THE CLASSROOM: From time to time, you may wish to observe your child’s
classroom. Remember to schedule observations ahead of time so that you are not surprised by changes in
schedule or special activities. Our first priority is to maintain the instructional program. Visitors may not
interrupt instruction by trying to talk to the teacher or students. If you are visiting to observe, then you are
quietly watching, not interacting.
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WOODLIN S.T.A.R. VALUES
At all times …
I will be …
Safe
I will …
Try my best
I will …
Act responsibly
I will be …
Respectful
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